Hi I just purchased a 1998 Subaru Sambar truck from Japan. It should arrive in about two weeks time. I can’t wait, quite excited. I have subbed to your channel to stay in touch.
The 'JA' information you gave was very interesting! There are two trucks at a dealership on the west coast USA with that same logo on the front and I was wondering what it was. Thank you for that!
Ever since importing that scuffed, sketchily modded, but solid condition MR2 from you guys from auction, it has been as or more reliable than my dailys, despite me Autocrossing it a couple times, and really not doing all the work the car needs to be more reliable/comfortable for more regular driving. I got a 100k mile CR-Z earlier this year to replace my aging '04 Volvo S60r (loved that car, but it was approaching 200k miles and was becoming a bit less predictable in maintenance). The CR-Z has basically been a lemon. Sparkplug blew out of the engine within 3 weeks of purchase, all the door handles have broken, valves sound horrible and need adjustment, etc etc etc. For some reason I have it set in my mind that whenever I need to replace this CR-Z, it'll be with another import. Any general suggestions? (Whatever it is, I want to fit a set of golfclubs in it). When I first reached out to you guys when I got the MR2, I originally was actually looking at kei trucks/vans. Im commuting 40 minutes each way a day, about half tight/dense pothole'd city driving, half highway driving, and a bit of some backroads. I was thinking about a Subaru Sambar/Domingo (or alternative brands). I am 6 feet tall, but I've driven a Honda Acty Van in Pittsburgh (thanks Pittsburgh Good Deeds) and found it very comfortable! I work for a manufacturing/engineering startup now and a little kei truck/van woud be perfect imo. Im a little worried about highway driving with a kei van/truck/whatever, but as long as I can 'safely' (?) go 55/60mph I think I'd be happy. I know the Sambar had some with the supercharger, and I know they made I know the Domingo had the justy engine in it, but its so hard to find more info on those vans compared to sambars. I'm a little worried about service too. Im happy to do some of the work within reason, but I see these trucks driving around my new city (Boston MA area) somewhat frequently so maybe there are mechanics that are a little experienced with them here. It's actually really cool to see companies even using imported Kei trucks for industries just like in Japan (there's a carpentry/contractor company that has a fleet of 6 or so trucks, and their kei truck is always the one I see them go to first, I see it parked in front of the others and driving around all the time, where the other, much bigger trucks usually sit collecting pollen/snow. I also saw a guy driving down the street with a whole sail boat attached to modified mounts above the cab and in the bed area of a Acty truck. Id of course consider more commuter-y cars too, especially ones that can handle North East US weather, snow, salt, potholes, etc. Im going to be called an idiot for replacing my daily with a 25 year old car no matter what I do, so I figure I might as well have fun with it, but also get something that wont ruin my life in somewhat-daily operation.
kei vechicles are always so cool, I'd always whiced that all cars moved towards being kei sixed and power instead of the huge generic SUVs everyone puts out now
Kei trucks have really taken off in popularity in the USA with younger buyers thanks to social media/memes. They’re a cool accessible import since prices are reasonable and parts are available for “farm truck only” versions of Daihatsu’s that were sold here. The “cute Japanese car” factor from Miata’s on social media is bringing attention to the smaller kei cars in general.
"Quirk and feature", I see what you did there. And yeah, this is the kind of car Doug would totally love.
Hi I just purchased a 1998 Subaru Sambar truck from Japan. It should arrive in about two weeks time. I can’t wait, quite excited. I have subbed to your channel to stay in touch.
The 'JA' information you gave was very interesting! There are two trucks at a dealership on the west coast USA with that same logo on the front and I was wondering what it was. Thank you for that!
Ever since importing that scuffed, sketchily modded, but solid condition MR2 from you guys from auction, it has been as or more reliable than my dailys, despite me Autocrossing it a couple times, and really not doing all the work the car needs to be more reliable/comfortable for more regular driving. I got a 100k mile CR-Z earlier this year to replace my aging '04 Volvo S60r (loved that car, but it was approaching 200k miles and was becoming a bit less predictable in maintenance). The CR-Z has basically been a lemon. Sparkplug blew out of the engine within 3 weeks of purchase, all the door handles have broken, valves sound horrible and need adjustment, etc etc etc.
For some reason I have it set in my mind that whenever I need to replace this CR-Z, it'll be with another import. Any general suggestions? (Whatever it is, I want to fit a set of golfclubs in it).
When I first reached out to you guys when I got the MR2, I originally was actually looking at kei trucks/vans. Im commuting 40 minutes each way a day, about half tight/dense pothole'd city driving, half highway driving, and a bit of some backroads. I was thinking about a Subaru Sambar/Domingo (or alternative brands). I am 6 feet tall, but I've driven a Honda Acty Van in Pittsburgh (thanks Pittsburgh Good Deeds) and found it very comfortable! I work for a manufacturing/engineering startup now and a little kei truck/van woud be perfect imo. Im a little worried about highway driving with a kei van/truck/whatever, but as long as I can 'safely' (?) go 55/60mph I think I'd be happy. I know the Sambar had some with the supercharger, and I know they made I know the Domingo had the justy engine in it, but its so hard to find more info on those vans compared to sambars. I'm a little worried about service too. Im happy to do some of the work within reason, but I see these trucks driving around my new city (Boston MA area) somewhat frequently so maybe there are mechanics that are a little experienced with them here. It's actually really cool to see companies even using imported Kei trucks for industries just like in Japan (there's a carpentry/contractor company that has a fleet of 6 or so trucks, and their kei truck is always the one I see them go to first, I see it parked in front of the others and driving around all the time, where the other, much bigger trucks usually sit collecting pollen/snow. I also saw a guy driving down the street with a whole sail boat attached to modified mounts above the cab and in the bed area of a Acty truck. Id of course consider more commuter-y cars too, especially ones that can handle North East US weather, snow, salt, potholes, etc. Im going to be called an idiot for replacing my daily with a 25 year old car no matter what I do, so I figure I might as well have fun with it, but also get something that wont ruin my life in somewhat-daily operation.
Any kind of Toyota should be trouble-free, and last you a long time! 🙂
kei vechicles are always so cool, I'd always whiced that all cars moved towards being kei sixed and power instead of the huge generic SUVs everyone puts out now
Kei trucks have really taken off in popularity in the USA with younger buyers thanks to social media/memes. They’re a cool accessible import since prices are reasonable and parts are available for “farm truck only” versions of Daihatsu’s that were sold here. The “cute Japanese car” factor from Miata’s on social media is bringing attention to the smaller kei cars in general.
How much do these trucks go for usually at auction? Assuming Grade 3 or above
@@RanenPo>They're cheap! Probably between $1,500-$3,000 total, for kei trucks! 🙂
Vary knowledgeable
Good info 👍 thank you
I recently flew on a Porter Airlines Q400 that had seats just like the ones in this truck. Similar seat cover and amount of cushion 😕
1st
Amazing, you deserve a medal.
2nd mid thought